Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front office.

KC Close Up: Jeremy Jeffress

Today we continue our “KC Close Up” series with right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress. The hard-throwing 23-year old is looking to make his first Opening Day roster in 2011.

Jeremy is from South Boston, Va., which has a population of about 8,500 and is north of Durham, N.C. on U.S. 501. Jeffress is not the first KC player to be born in the small Virginia town – former Royal Michael Tucker was also born in South Boston.

Jeremy was acquired in the December trade that sent Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt to Milwaukee. Jeffress has an “exploding” fastball that has been clocked above 100 MPH! Watch Jeremy pitch on this Twitter video (and turn up the sound!): http://twitvid.com/VHS5M

Jeffress made his Major League debut on September 1, 2010, pitching a scoreless inning against the Reds. Jeffress compiled a 2.70 ERA in 10 appearances for the Brewers. After the season, he pitched for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, where he was a teammate of several Kansas City’s top prospects. Jeffress struck out 14 batters in 11.2 innings for Surprise and pitched in the AFL’s Rising Stars Game.

Let’s learn a little more from Jeremy, who is already considered a clubhouse favorite.

ATH: Besides baseball, what is your favorite sport?

Jeffress: Basketball

ATH: If you weren’t playing baseball, what occupation would you have?

Jeffress: SWAT team leader

ATH: Who was your favorite player while growing up?

Jeffress:Josh Beckett

ATH: What’s your favorite food?

Jeffress: Chicken

ATH: What’s your favorite TV show?

Jeffress: The Jamie Foxx Show

ATH: Besides family members, name one person who has influenced your career:

Jeffress: Too many to name and I’d worry about leaving someone out.

Thanks to Jeremy for participating in our “KC Close Up”! Check back on Friday for our next player profile!

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